'We're Robert Dyas and we're gay' Christmas ad divides opinion

Home appliance retailer Robert Dyas has split consumer opinion over its Christmas ad which sees staff and customers reveal their sexuality.

Titled, ‘We’re Robert Dyas and we’re gay. And straight. And bi…’ the ad sees staff and customers introduce themselves with their sexuality while shopping in store.

Robert Dyas' Christmas ad campaign

In one scene of the video, which has been uploaded to Robert Dyas’ YouTube page and has attracted more than 427,000 views, a staff member holds a drill and says: “This drill would work a treat in a straight person’s home. Or a gay person’s.”

In another scene, another member of staff says: “My name’s Marcus, I work at Robert Dyas and I’m gay. I like going out with my friends and playing volleyball.” He adds: “I also like showing our gay and straight customers our funky range of Christmas gifts.”

The video finishes with all the customers and staff members starring in the video saying: “Robert Dyas: where gays and straights can buy drills, and much, much more.”

Reaction to the ad has been varied. Twitter user @AyalTusia said “Terrible #advertising”, while comedian Lee Hurst tweeted “I think the Robert Dyas advert is genius.”

Twitter user @jamesbenamor said: “Trying to work out whether this Robert Dyas ad is terrible or genius is making my head hurt.”

It has been suggested that the video is a parody of an advert released by an American furniture company called Red House in 2009. In the advert staff declared their race.